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HIGH SCHOOL BACCALAUREATE
For
CLAY CENTRAL/EVERLY CLASS OF 1997
PRELUDE
Seating
of the Class of 1997 (please
stand)
CALL TO WORSHIP Pastor
David N.
When Samuel was born, his mother Hanna
took him to the temple to be dedicated to the LORD. Eli instructed him
in all that he knew. And Samuel grew in both stature and in favor with
the LORD and with the people.
When Jesus was twelve, Mary found him in the
Temple, talking with the elders. He learned from them and he taught them
what the scriptures had to say.
Life is filled with opportunities
for growth and learning. There is always more to learn and to understand
in life and faith.There are always new and different challenges to face
as we live. As we gather to praise our LORD this evening and to honor
and celebrate this class' approaching graduation, let us all rededicate
ourselves to the high calling of God.
We come together in thankfulness for all the LORD
provides and the opportunities we have in life as we live and learn upon
this earth.
HYMN "Great is Thy
Faithfulness"
LITANY OF THANKSGIVING Rev. Shurmaine
M.
Let us give thanks to the Lord who guides us to face the challenges and
opportunities of life.
We thank you Lord, for your leading, your encouragement, your gifts of
educators and teachers, of friends and neighbors who have helped us and
encouraged us in the opportunities of life.
Let us give thanks to the Lord for the families and homes into which these
graduating seniors were born and have been nurtured.
We are grateful, Lord, for our children and our parents, our homes and
families where we learn to grow and experience all the wonders of this
life.
Lord, this is a time of joy for us as we watch these graduating seniors
gather before us to celebrate the completion of this phase of their education
and move out from here in new directions for their lives. We ask
that you would be with them as they go and strengthen them as they take
on new responsibilities in this world. Give them, and us, faith
and encouragement as we try to be your servants who live in joy and thankfulness
for all we have received.
We praise you Lord, for all your gifts, and for the opportunity to come
together as people from many faith backgrounds to celebrate this day with
these graduating seniors.
Thanks be to God.
Amen.
PRAYER Rev. Michael H.
Gracious
Heavenly Father, you create life from the earth on which we dwell and
breathe into it new life and meaning. Graciously you empower us
with knowledge and skills to aid one another as we live out our life on
this earth. Bless our gathering this night as we recall your grace
and kindness to these young lives and celebrate the endings and beginnings
of the opportunities you provide. Empower us all to live lives worthy
of the callings you offer, that we may strengthen one another and your
creation as we walk together with you through this life. In Christ
Jesus' name we pray. AMEN
SCRIPTURE Psalm 139:1-14; Isaiah 42:5-9 Rev.
Tonna P.
MESSAGE: Romans 8:22-27 "Life
Changing Forever" Rev. William C.
SPECIAL MUSIC
"Set Me As A Seal"
CC/E HS Chamber Choir
RECOGNITION OF GRADUATES Pastor Duane N.
LEADER: This evening we have assembled as a body to recognize those who
will be receiving their diplomas that recognize their academic achievements.
They have grown among us through the years, worshiped with us and joined
us as young members of the communities where we live. We congratulate
them on their accomplishment, and more importantly, recognize them as
young adults taking their place among us in the world.
ADULTS: We have seen you grow and develop into young
men and women with skills and abilities that we have proudly watched you
acquire. We rejoice that you have been a part of us and are with
us now as we recognize you this day.
LEADER: Some of you, as parents and teachers, have been instrumental in
their growing, some in teaching and sharing with them your beliefs and
knowledge, moments that encouraged them to grow and experience the responsibilities
of life.
TEACHERS & PARENTS: We have shared
with them what God has shared with us, the hope for life, the blessing
and knowledge we have in this world where we live. We have tried to share
with them the love and concern for life the Almighty gives.
LEADER: You, our graduates, have learned and grown. Soon you will
celebrate your accomplishments as a class of young men and women. We pray
that you will remember our witness and sharing, that you will develop
your skills for the betterment of this world, that you will witness with
us what you have received from the LORD.
GRADUATES: We have learned, yet we know there is more
of life to be discovered. We have grown and we will continue to grow until
our life comes to its end. We can never forget the witness your have given.
We thank you for all you have shared.
TEACHERS & PARENTS: We ask neither for thanks for
what we have done well, nor your forgiveness for what we have done poorly.
The past is past. We ask, instead, your help in the transition to a new
relationship. Our habit to see you as children who need parental oversight. Your
growth has been rapid. Be patient with us as we attempt to relate to you
in a new way, as adult to adult.
GRADUATES: We struggled these last years for new identities.
Now we join you in the struggle for new relationships.
CLERGY & CHURCH MEMBERS: The church also recognizes
your new status. In years past, when you were younger, many people attempted
to offer you the building blocks for the construction of your religious
commitment. The faith we offered you was described in lofty words, but
demonstrated by us in often faulty ways. Now we ask you to search with
us for ways to make our lives more relevant to the ideals we have described,
and our churches more effective in their sacred work.
GRADUATES: We will grow; we will develop; and with God's wisdom
and Spirit, we pray as we can use our abilities to serve in the care of
our communities and for all humankind.
LEADER: There is a promise God has given, that He will be with us "to
the close of the age," that He will be our God and we His people,
that nothing, except our rejection of Him, can keep us from the love of
God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
ALL: It is a promise we have been given, a promise we pray that
we will honor and remember always, as we grow and develop the skills given
by the God who gives us life.
GRADUATES: We dedicate ourselves to the joys, the privileges,
and the duties of adulthood. We pledge to you and to each other support
and respect as we attempt to realize the full personhood and mature relationships
to which God is calling us.
LEADER: May the LORD be with you as we walk together through this life.
HYMN "Borning Cry"
BENEDICTION Father
Anthony
Teach us, good Lord, to serve as you deserve; to give and not to count
the cost; to fight and not to head the wounds, to toil and not to seek
for rest; to labor and not to ask for any reward, save that of knowing
that we do your will.
(Ignatius of Loyola)
1997 CC/E GRADUATES
Listing of all graduates' names
Junior Class Escorts: (named here)
THANKS TO THOSE PARTICIPATING IN THE PREPARATION
AND LEADERSHIP OF THIS SERVICE:
ACCOMPANIST
Nancy P., CC/E High School Music Director
CC/E HIGH SCHOOL CHAMBER CHOIR
(listing of choir
members here)
PASTORS/CHURCHES
Pastor G. Duane B., Hope Lutheran Church, Everly
Rev. William C., Peterson United Methodist Church, Royal United Methodist
Church
Rev. Michael H., Maple Grove Church of God, Sutherland
Rev. Shurmaine M., Everly United Methodist Church, Zion United Methodist
Church
Pastor David N., Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Royal
Rev. Tonna P., Grace Congregational Church, Royal
Father Anthony P., St. Louis Roman Catholic Church, Royal, St. Mary's
Roman Catholic Church, Everly
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